Too matchy-matchy?

How much is too much? could well be the question here today. I've put a new outfit together from some pieces that you may have seen already. For instance the stretch jeans were posted in December (see here) and the boots early this year (as here), but the jacket and tunic/dress are both new. The jacket is thrifted (aren't the pleats adorable) and I bought the dress in Sainsbury's last September, but have struggled to wear it because it's a smidgen too short. By adding the jeans underneath it feels less revealing. But the too much refers to the boots and trousers matchy-matchy thing - what do you think? Too much?


And maybe adding this little jacket is one step too far? It's so difficult to be objective when you're so close to the subject sometimes don't you think? Burgundy is a relatively new colour for me, but I do wonder if I've overdosed.









I've just realised that matchy-matchy could be the norm for lots of women. Is the problem more about me not being very conventional? My bright floral mixing the other day (see here) seems very me, and yet these three toning burgundy pieces push me out of my comfort zone. Crazy? Welcome to my upside down world!

And finally, here's an update on my sewing project. I posted this shot on instagram yesterday as I was heading off to my final class of the course. 


Here's the next stage.




Yes, it may look like the finished piece, but if I turned it over the other way you'd see that the floral side is not fitting very well at all. The piping too, is a tad on the wobbly side for my liking. My very clever tutor has shown me a couple of ways to fix things and in due course I hope to post it again for you to see. In the meantime I thought I'd share how I commute to the class on the other island. I've been dodging back and forth to St Mary's on a jetboat for the past five weeks which I suppose is like most people commuting on the train or bus. St Mary's harbour is just coming to life with more boats taking up their moorings in the bay. The Scillonian ferry stands at the end of the quay after disgorging the day trippers and other visitors who sailed across on the 2.5 hour trip from mainland Cornwall.








We're just passing Appletree Bay, one of my favourite beaches. An hour later I was down there swimming on the high tide in the afternoon sun.




Finally I'd like to say Happy Mother's Day to my readers. I hope you're being spoilt today and enjoying a lovely restful day. See you soon!

Linking with -




Anna x

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19 comments

  1. I quite like the outfit. I think the lower half just creates a long lean visually unbroken line which is what you want when you are on the short side.

    Happy Mother's Day to you Anna!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. Thanks for that observation Suzanne. As a fellow short stuff, I appreciate your take on this.

      I had a lovely Mother's Day thank you!

      Anna x

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  2. I hope your mothers day is lovely Anna! I'm sure you will get spoilt! There are a few identical items that we both have and wear in different ways. Me being the matchy woman and you being the extrovert that I admire. I do find it very interesting. Well done with your sewing project, not bad at all xx Oh and love the jacket!
    www.vanityandmestyle.com

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    1. Mother's Day was a great mix of things, all making for a perfect day.

      I do like to see how you style the same pieces in your own way. It's interesting to have your viewpoint to steal some ideas too!
      My sewing project is proving to be more of a challenge than I expected - rather naive of me!
      Anna x


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  3. I know what you mean about not always being able to see our outfits from other's perspective, Anna! But I wouldn't consider this too matchy/matchy (and I'm always worried about that too)!
    I think the print breaks it up enough that it look nice and cohesive! Beside the purse brings in another shade as well! I think it'd be too matchy if you had on a burgundy majority dress!!
    jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. More than anything Jodie, is the fact that I've only recently started wearing burgundy so I'm unsure of how/whether it really suits me. The feedback here has been great to help with this.
      Anna x

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  4. No, I think this is fab! I love layering as you can probably tell. Apart from the Burgundy jacket I bet you have other jackets you top this outfit with if you feel it's too matchy matchy. I think the bag also adds in a different texture and colour.

    I agree with Suzanne that wearing the same colour waist to toe gives the impression of elongating the body and legs - good for shorties like us!

    Happy Mother's Day to you, too.

    xx

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    1. This look is more in your comfort zone than mine Veronica, so it's good to have your comments too. I can see now the benefit of the same colour and how it streamlines the look.
      The pop of orange was my own comfort piece which made me feel a bit more at home.
      Thanks x
      Anna

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  5. You look fabulous in this outfit and I agree with Suzanne regarding the elongating effect of monochromatic color. Your legs look long and lovely and lean. I actually LOVE IT when I can get pieces to match so well!! (NOT easy to accomplish!).
    That jacket is SO DARLING!!! The little pleating detail at the back is a real WOW! factor. This jacket looks expensive and beautifully made. I also think the pop of orange provided by the purse is genius!! Orange and deep plum/burgundy are so good together! This is one of my favorite posts Anna.
    Your first upholstery project is coming along well and you've got to make some mistakes to learn so just keep crafting away!
    I hope you had a warm, loving and memorable mothers day. Was your daughter able to make it to Scilly?
    2 1/2 hours from Cornwall is quite a long boat ride!

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    1. I'm so pleased, if not a little surprised that this is a new favourite post for you Jude. It didn't really feel very me, and yet has drawn a great response, so thank you. Like you, I do love the orange as a contrasting colour for the burgundy.

      The sewing is such a steep learning curve for me, and I do feel a bit of a fool that I was so naive to take on such a big project from this standing start. Having said that, yes I'm making mistakes and understanding the whole process more and more, but most importantly, I'm really enjoying it.

      I had a lovely Mother's Day with a visit from my son who was bearing gifts. I'll be seeing my daughter on Thursday when I fly across to the mainland for a week away on business. I hope the weather holds, or else I'll be taking that 2.5 hour boat trip myself!

      Anna x

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  6. I really love the sort of monochromatic look you've created. I don't think it's too much at all!

    Mary
    www.marymurnane.com

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    1. That's so very kind of you to say Mary! It has grown on me a bit more now, thanks to all of the positive responses it's received.

      Anna x

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  7. That jacket is gorgeous from the back. The pleats totally make it. I know what you mean about matchy matchy as I'm not a huge fan in general but it does elongate you and that bag is the perfect pop of colour as a counter point to the burgundy. If a fun monochromatic look and of course you have gorgeously long legs - I'm so jealous!

    http://petitesilvervixen.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. The pleats are indeed the main event of this cute little jacket. It was a great find and I'm delighted at the feedback. And yes, I agree that the pop of orange made such an impact too.

      Thanks for the lovely comments and for dropping by again. I must return the favour. Long time, no see!

      Anna x

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  8. I did not realize those were trousers - they really do read as leggings more. I love all the matchy - it provides a wonderful (and unusual colour) backdrop for the fabulous dress. That jacket has the best details! How cool to commute by boat! We sometimes hop the little harbour ferries here, but mostly I just walk.

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    1. The jacket ended up being the most favourite piece of this outfit Sheila. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone with all the matchy as well as burgudy, but it was good.

      I don't drive so walking and cycling are my main modes of transport too, but when boating is called for there's no more glamorous way to travel than on a jetboat!

      Anna x

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  9. Not too matchy matchy. I think if you had worn a plain dress it might have been but the benefit of a floral patterned dress is it adds a whole host of shades to aid that!x

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    1. The pattern was meant to do exactly that Kezzie, so I'm glad you like it. It's not been one of my favourite outfits, but at last my three month shopping ban is broken - let the fun begin!

      Anna x

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  10. Not at all too muchy muchy matchy matchy, Anna! I love it, you look fabulous. The dress is perfect over the jeans with boots, and, I agree with you, the jacket is great. Your island hopping looks wonderful, and the weather springy beautiful. (Love the frog people leaning over the railing!) xx

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